Reprint from 1981 of a terrific set of cards designed in 1925 by Harry Wallace for Mardi Gras. The original set of cards was published by The Carnival Playing Card Co. and this more recent printing was published by The Historic New Orleans Collection. According to the World Web Playing Card Museum, the original cards (and perhaps this reprint deck) were made by United States Playing Card Co., but Dawson/Hochman does not so indicate. [see, Dawson, The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, p.303, N11] I have chosen to show these cards as “maker unknown.”

The deck consists of 52 cards, plus 1 Joker, plus an insert card describing the original 1925 deck and this reprint. According to the insert card:

“The court cards are artistic and each of the four suits represents a different Mardi Gras figure. Spades are Proteus, a sea god who has the power to change his form at will. Hearts represents Comus, the god of festivity. Clubs are Momus, the god of mockery. Diamonds are Rex, the king of the Mardi Gras.”

The cards are bridge size, measuring 89mm x 58mm, and are in the original box.

The cards are “as new.” The box is in excellent condition, with only minor signs of wear.